The Visual Representation of the Anti-Hero in Quality TV

Abstract

In this thesis, I investigate the visual style of Breaking Bad, Mad Men and Sons of Anarchy, particularly in regards to each show’s protagonist. Walter White, Don Draper and Jax Teller fall into the same category, the anti-hero, and present the same complex personality, internal struggle and moral ambiguity. In addition, they belong to the same subgenre of Quality TV, whose characteristic is a visual style that strives towards the cinematic. Thus, despite all the traits they have in common, each show employs different visual techniques that set it apart from the others. While addressing the struggle that define each character into analysis, I discuss specific tools the showrunners used to depict and portray their anti-hero and their journey.